TL;DR

A sexy summer date night

The vibe

The crowd

The drinks

The food

Our Review

First impression?Modern and romantic, like a Pinterest-inspired wedding, the Refinery Rooftop lures you in with its twinkling lights, exposed brick, and warm wood. Not for nothing, the Empire State Building also is looming overhead.

Cool. So who’s there?Thirty-somethings on second dates, groups of women with elaborate cocktails, a decent contingent of after-work drinkers here for an even split of cocktails, beer, and rosé.

How are the drinks?This list hits the big cocktail trends of the last five years: bacon-infused bourbon, mezcal with Aperol and elderflower liqueur, and lots of barrel-aging. The beer and wine are perfunctory, and totally passable.

Worth ordering something to eat, too?Good for snacking or for dining, though quite pricey for what it is: chips with miso-ranch dip, ramen-spiced shishito peppers, and a kale salad (of course).

Did the staff do you right?Friendly and professional, though in the business of crowd control as much as service. Unless you’re the only one on the rooftop (and you’re not), expect a wait for cocktails.

Wrap it up: what are we coming here for?Wait for a warm spring evening, book a sunset table in advance, and wow a date with a bottle of wine or a few rounds of fun drinks.